The ultimate
innovation in cassette technology - precise, fully automatic playback head
azimuth adjustment. Optimum reproduction quality in both forward and reverse
playback modes.
In
a slightly different genere than the luxurious 1000ZXL, the Dragon is
undoubtedly the finest cassette deck available. It represents the culmination
of Nakamichi's vast technical resources and experience, retaining the basic
uncompromising Nakamichi standards of performance through use of such
innovations as an Asymmetrical, Dual-Capstan Double-Direct-Drive Transport, a
Discrete Three-Head configuration, very high quality record/playback amplifier circuitry and, of
particular interest to perfectionists, our unique NAAC (Nakamichi Auto Azimuth
Correction) for the ultimate in playback performance from both sides on any
tape.

Proper azimuth
alignment is one of the most important factors in achieving the best possible
cassette reproduction quality. For this reason, several Nakamichi cassette
decks offer either automatic or manual adjustment of record head azimuth.
Ideally, however, playback head azimuth should be adjustable so that even tapes
recorded on other decks will be reproduced with the recorded frequency response
and sound quality fully intact. Commercially available music tape, tapes
borrowed from a friend, tapes in which the shell has warped slightly (a common
occurrence) - all actually require some degree of playback head azimuth
alignment to provide the best possible reproduction quality. Further,
inaccuracies in cassette shell symmetry result in completely different azimuth
alignment requirements in forward and reverse on auto-revers decks, often
causing a significant variation in sound quality. All these points and problems
LED Nakamichi to the development of the world's first fully automatic playback
head azimuth alignment system NAAC, and its incorporation into this fine deck.
The Dragon's unique
double direct drive system employs two Nakamichi quartz PLL servo Super Linear
Torque DD motors (one for each capstan) so that wow and flutter are essentially
eliminated while maintaining perfect transport stability in both forward and
reverse directions. Auto reverse operation has been made available only in the
playback mode so that the superb performance of the Discrete Three-head System
is not compromised. Of course, full provision is made for left and right
channel bias and record/playback level adjustment. All the Dragon's performance
features also mean that the built-in Dolby C-type noise reduction system
operates under ideal conditions for the best performance. Likewise, heads,
mechanism and amplifiers are all the best available, as are features such as
the microcomputer-controlled, real-time mechanism control system proven in
other Nakamichi decks. Convenience features include Auto Rec Pause, where the
deck automatically enters the pause mode during recording if a blank interval
of 30 seconds or longer is detected in the source, switchable MPX and subsonic
filters, easy cueing, and a dual-speed auto fader function, for customized
recording with professional fade-in/fade-out results.

Specifications
System
Configuration: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Heads: 3; erase head x 1; record head x 1; 4-track, 4-channel playback head x 1
Motors Transport :
Two Quartz PLL DC brushless, slotless coreless
Super Linear Torque DD Motor for Capstan
drive
one DC Motor for reel drive
Auto Azimuth
Correction : DC Motor
Mechanism : DC Motor
Tape Speed: 1-7/8
ips (4,8 cm/sec)
Wow and Flutter:
less than 0,019% WTD RMS; less than ±0,04%
WTD Peak
Frequency Response:
20 Hz - 22,000 Hz ±3
dB (recording level -20 dB , ZX tape)
20 Hz - 21,000 Hz ±3
dB (recording level -20 dB , SX, EX II tape)
Signal-to-Noise
Ratio:
Dolby C-Type NR On
[70 µs, ZX tape] : better than 72 dB
(400 Hz, 3% T.H.D., IHF A-WTD RMS)
Dolby B-Type NR On
[70 µs, ZX tape] : better than 66 dB
(400 Hz, 3% T.H.D., IHF A-WTD RMS)
Total Harmonic
Distortion : less than 0,8% (400 Hz , 0
dB, ZX tape)
Less than 1% (400
Hz, 0 dB, SX, EX II tape)
Erasure: better than 60 dB (100 Hz, 0 dB)
Separation: better than 37 dB (1 kHz, 0 dB)
Crosstalk: better than 60 dB (1 kHz, 0 dB)
Bias
Frequency: 105 kHz
Input Line Sensitivity/Impedance :
50 mV/50 k Ω
Output
Level/Impedance
Line : 1 V (400 Hz, 0 dB, output level control at
max.)/ 2,2 k Ω
Headphone : 45 mW (400 Hz, 0
dB, output level control at max.)/ 8 Ω
Black Box Series DC
Output: ±10 V, 125 mA max.
Power
Requirements: 100,120, 220, 240 V AC
50/60 Hz
Power
Consumption: 45 W max.
Dimensions (W x H x
D): 450 x 135 x 300 mm (17-3/4" x
5-5/16" x 11-13/16"
Weight: 9,5 kg (21 lbs)